Andrew Cotton Keynote Speaker

Andrew “Cotty” Cotton grew up in North Devon, where a love of the ocean sparked a passion that would take him to the far corners of the surfing world. From those early days catching waves on the North Devon coastline, few could have predicted that Cotty would go on to become one of the most respected big wave surfers on the planet.

Cotty has dedicated his life to chasing and conquering the world’s biggest waves, most notably at Nazaré in Portugal, a place that has both defined and tested him in equal measure. It was here that he rode one of the biggest waves ever surfed, cementing his place in the history books. It was also here that the ocean reminded him of its power, leaving him with serious injuries that would have ended many careers.

But Cotty came back. That journey through pain, self-doubt, and the long road to recovery sits at the heart of everything he shares as a speaker. His talks explore the themes he knows better than most: resilience, managing fear, the value of great teamwork, the importance of goal setting, and what it truly means to fail, learn, and return stronger. With a natural, down-to-earth style and stories that are as gripping as they are honest, Cotty connects with audiences across industries and backgrounds. He doesn’t just talk about pushing limits he’s lived it, wave after wave.